Humans or monkeys

What causes the vast majority of people to be so diligent in the maximum satisfaction of basic needs? Even if they know that the earth as a closed system cannot adapt to the increasing consumption of resources. From this observation alone they should come to the conclusion that a human has nothing in common with a monkey. If people behaved like monkeys one would not have to worry about planet earth or its creatures. What drives many people besides a thirst for power and money to such reprehensible behavior? The book text is completely in German and Hebrew.